I found mingling with other photographers to be the last place to see a film camera. At Focus this year nearly every single person there had a digital SLR hanging from their neck (mostly Canons with expensive L lenses but also a number of other brands including the odd Pentax). I was travelling light so I just had the Super-Ikonta in my pocket and I was acutely aware that every time I took it out to take a photo there were several lenses trained on me - quite an odd experience! I did also get a lot of thumbs up and "Nice camera!" comments directed at me during the day as well as three offers to buy it. Very strange as my 50+ year old folder probably cost less than some of the lens caps these guys (and girls) were toting!

Whereas out at the various car rallys / village fetes / open gardens I attend at this time of year I often see film cameras in the hands of the public (and in that arena Pentax is much better represented with more folk still clinging to K1000's and ME Supers than pretty much any other brand). I wouldn't write film cameras off too quickly, there's some mileage in the old medium yet.

I have polarisers and ND Grads for digital but hardly ever use them.

On my assorted film cameras I have a bare minimum of one yellow (Y1) filter for each lens for those times I shoot black and white film. I do have other contrast control filters in various sizes (orange, red, green) and lots of colour balance/special effect filters that never get used, but the humble yellow I see as my one must-have.

+1

The only book on photography you'll ever need IMO.

Good: Steinheil Cassar 50/2.8

Bad: Meyer Domiplan 50/2.8

I really, really like this picture - just thought I'd mention it.

I just use the local paper - we have a lot of vintage vehicle shows around these parts so there are very few weekends throughout the summer when there *isn't* one going on.

There's a rally in Banbury this weekend coming, then the following weekend is a steam and traction event in Prestwood (a biggy - takes over three fields) then various smaller shows leading up to my favourite, the Kop Hill Climb in Princes Risborough on the 25th and 26th September. There was an awesome display there last year (hundreds of cars) with several ex-Le Mans runners, a 1950's Ferrari 250 Pontoon-fender Testarossa and Jay Kay's Bugatti Veyron (he lives around here so we often see his cars out and about).

I have thought of travelling further afield but most of the good shows seem to come to us...

I know exactly what you mean Andrew, at this time of year I'm visiting car shows virtually every weekend and it's never easy. One tip that I'd give is to arrive early before the majority of the public - makes it much easier to get shots without people in them.

I think overall though you did very well - sticking to detail shots at these sorts of events is the way to go as a rule.

A very nice set and just the sort of thing I was shooting yesterday too (but on film so I have nothing to show yet).

I think the Jowett shot is probably the weakest - I'm not keen on the background bleeding in from the right, the curves aren't aligned in a pleasing fashion (maybe if the number plate had been square on?) and there's a clear reflection of the photographer in the paintwork. Overall it just doesn't really work for me.

The Hillman on the other hand is superb and one I'd be very pleased to have taken myself. The colours, angle, lighting, depth of field and focus point are all perfect. It conjures up memories of family holidays by the seaside to me - great stuff.

If you can't get your CZJ fixed then I'd say the best 28mm M42 lens to pass through my hands was a Super-Takumar 28/3.5.

Having said that, if you don't mind an extra 2mm then the Meyer Lydith 30/3.5 is something of a legend if you can find a nice one.

Always good to have a happy ending!